Button sewing machine



June 13, 1950 G. w. NELSON 2,511,367

BUTTON SEWING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 *6 Q 2 7 INVENTOR.

4 TOENEY June 13, 1950 G. w. NELSON BUTTON SEWING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 10, 1942 INVENTOR. @ww BY June 13, 1950 G. w. NELSON BUTTON SEWING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 10, 1942 aod A. cn

INVENTOR.

A TORNEY G. W. NELSON BUTTON SEWING MACHINE Jun 13, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 10, 1942 INVEN TOR.

G; w. NELSON- BUTTON SEWING MACHINE Jupe 13, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 10, 1942 I INVENTOR.

TTOQNEY June 13, 1950 v G. w. NELSON 2,511,367

' BUTTON SEWING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 1o1fif 115 111 5 INVENTOR.

4 TUQNEY June 13, 1950 G. w. NELSON 2,511,367

' BUTTON SEWING MACHINE 8 Sheds-Sheet 8 Filed Dec. 10. 1942 @lgizififi.

n9 G '2 g 188 187 189 .Q I i5'. 9.

' INVENTOR. 44 W Patented June 13, 1950 2,511,367 BUTTON SEWING MACHINE George William Nelson, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Lewis Invisible Stitch Machine Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Maine Application December 10, 1942, Serial No. 468,515

The invention herein disclosed relates to a machine for sewing buttons to a base material such for example as fabric.

A general object of the invention is to provide a machine capable of sewing either a two or a four hole button and which may effect tying stitches at the end of a stitch cycle. More specifically, the objects of the invention include providing such a machine with a simplified mechanism and arrangement of parts for effecting this purpose, providing such a machine with simple adjustments for changing over from a two to a four hole stitch cycle; providing such a machine with simplified and durable thread handling mechanism; providing such a machine with mechanism for automatically raising the button clamp at the end of a stitch operation; and providing such a machine with accurate, momentum absorbing stop mechanism.

The foregoing and more particular objects of the invention together with certain advantages thereof are realized in the illustrative embodiment of the invention disclosed in the drawings and described in detail below.

The drawings include:

Fig. 1 which is an isometric view of a button sewing machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 which is a side elevation of the same, partly in section;

Fig. 3 which is a side elevation of the side opposite to that shown in Fig. 2 and sectioned in part;

Fig. 4 which is a rear end elevation of the same, partly in section;

Fig. 5 which is a fragmentar plan with a side cover open;

Fig. 6 which is a fragmentary top plan machine, partly in section;

Fig. 7 which is a bottom plan of the machine;

Fig. 8 which is a sectional plan taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 which is a transverse section taken on the line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 which is a front end elevation, partly in section;

Fig. 11 which is a plan of the positioning finger shown in elevation in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 which is a side elevation of the same taken on the line 52-42 of Fig. 11;

13 which is a side elevation of the stop motion control disks;

Fig. 14 which is a section of the same taken on the line 44-44 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 which is an elevation of one of the control disks;

Fig. 16 which is an enlarged, fragmentary elevation of a detail of a lever and its actuator;

9 Claims. (01. 112219) of the I Fig. 17 which is an enlarged, fragmentary elevation of a sub-assembly of the operating mechanism for raising the button clamp;

Fig. 18which is a plan of the same; and

Fig. 19 which is a development of a cam.

General The drawings disclose a machine for sewing buttons, having two or four holes, on to fabrics or other materials to which such buttons may be sewn. In general, such a machine includes stitch-forming mechanism for effecting the formation of stitches successively, some mechanism for effecting relative lateral movement of the button with respect to the stitch-forming mechanism, and mechanism for effecting a cyclic operation of the stitch-forming mechanism. These mechanisms are conjointly operated to efiect a seriesof stitches with the thread passing in successive stitch-forming operations through different holes of the button and in consequence over the portion of the button between the holes. In this manner the button is sewn or bound to the fabric.

Commonly, the stitch-forming mechanism is the kind that operates upon a single thread. To this end, there is provided a needle bar for carrying the needle, and mechanism for reciprocating the needle bar. A looper cooperates with the needle. The lopper is mounted below the bed of the machine and positioned and operated in timed relation with respect to the needle. On the downward or penetrating stroke, the needle passes through a hole in the button and through the fabric, carrying the thread with it. At the start of the return stroke, tension on the thread is released and a loop is cast because of the friction between the cloth and the thread. The looper catches the loop and a positioner arranges it such that on the next succeeding, penetrating stroke of the needle, the needle passes through the positioned loop cast on the last stroke of the needle. Thus, a series of stitches are formed.

Relative lateral movement of the button and needle to cause the needle to pass through different holes in the button on successive strokes may be efiected by shifting or jogging the needle bar or by shifting the button. In the machine illustrated the button is shifted. To this end a shiftable buttonclamp is used and mechanism is provided for shifting the clamp in timed relation with respect to the needle. This mechanism serves to vibrate the button clamp so that first one and then another of a pair of holes is alined. with the needle.

For a two hole button, vibration of the button vertically from the'ba'se.

clamp for a predetermined number of stitches is efiected and then the machine is stopped. With a four hole button, the button clamp is positioned to present successively the holes of one pair, and after a predetermined number of stitches it is shifted to present the holes of the other pair of holes in the four Ihole button. At the end of the operation, tying stitches are effected to prevent the unraveling of the thread. For this purpose, the last several stitches are effected through the same hole in the button. If it be desiredto eliminate what is termed a cross over stitch, that is a thread crossing over from one pair of holes to the other pair, in a four hole button, tying stitches are made before the button clamp is shifted and the thread is broken.

All of the foregoing mechanism is mounted .in a single frame which, in the machine illustrated, includes a bed I supported on, and extending from, a base 2. Acolumn or standard 3 extends The column 3 supports a laterally extending arm 4 on the end of which there is a needle head '5. As the operator faces the free end of the arm 4,'thatis, the needle head 5, it is appropriate to designate this end of the machine as the front of the machine, and there- 'fore, the column :3 is at the rear of the machine.

Stitch-forming mechanism The stitch-forming mechanism "includes "a vertical'n'eedlebar 6 (Figs. 1,2 and 3) that is slidably mounted in spaced'bearin'gs'in the needle 'head 5. The needle bar is, in the usual manner, constructed at its'lower end, to receive and retain a needle l'having theeye 'atthe point thereof. "For the purpose of effecting stitches, the needle bar is reciprocated vertically to carry the end of the needle from a'point above the bed of the machine to a point "below the bed of the machine. To

this end, there 'is (Fig. 2) a lever 8, mounted on-a pivot 9 extending into and journaled in the 'arm '3 of the frame. One end of the lever receives -'a plunger In that is slidably mounted in the lever and that has a head I I through which "the'needle bar extends and to which the needle bar is pivotally secured. The other end of the lever is secured through a ball-and 'socket'connection to one end of a connecting rod l2 (Figs. 2 "and '4),'the other end of which is connected to the strap [3 (Figs. 4, '7 and '8) of an eccentric mounted one 'main or power shaft l4.

The'ball and socket connection (Figs. '2, 4 and '6) includes a pin 12a having a ball l2?) on'the end thereof. The pin extends through 'an opening provided therefor in the arm. "Two such openings are provided, the one in which the pin "is shown as being secured and another [20 spaced therefrom towards the pivotal axis of the lever.

lyof the base of the machinegthroug hboth sides,

and isjournaled in bearings provided thereforat the sides of the base. Ahelical gear .I.5-mounted on the shaft I4 meshes with another Thelical .gear i6 mounted on a'looper shaft ['1 extending for- "transversely of the path of the needle.

wardly of the machine and journaled in bearing brackets 18 and I9 extending from the bed of the machine adjacent the forward and rear ends respectively. Through this connection, the looper shaft is continuously rotated, in the direction of the arrow (Figs. 2 and 7) as the needle bar is reciprocated. The end of the looper shaft extending forwardly through the bearing bracket I8 is reduced in diameter and is received in a cam fixture 20 which is secured to the looper shaft by "set screws. In an axial opening in the opposite end of the cam fixture, a stub shaft of a hook-shaped looper 2| is received and secured therein, for rotation therewith, by set screws.

As the thread loops are thrown at the start of the return stroke of the needle the rotating looper takes the loop, twists it through one hundred and eighty degrees and holds it until the next succeeding penetration of the needle after which by virtue "of the position to which the hook-shaped looper has rotated, "the loop is cast ofi the looper. To position the loop held by the looper, there is 'a positioning finger 22 (Figs. 10, 11 and 12) arranged to-cooperate with the looper. This positio'n'ing finger is mounted on a yoke 23 that embraces a three point cam'24 on the cam fixture 20. The yoke has oppositely extending lateral arms 25 that are received in and slidable in grooves provided therefor in and "transversely of the bed. The positioning finger is formed on a plate 26 that is received in "a groove in the top of the yoke extending parallel to the looper shaft. The plate is held in-aslot in the yoke by a dowel pin. The positioning finger *lies directly below a needle plate 2! which, when removed, provides access to the positioning finger, supporting yoke and 'camfixture. 'Itwill be seen (Fig. 10) that when the looper shaft is rotated the yoke and in consequence the positioning finger are reciprocated In this way'the'pos'itioning finger takes the loop held by the-looper and positions it toposition the loop for proper correlation with the point of the looper and to receive the needle on the penetrating "stroke of "the'needle.

Associated with the positioning finger plate there is an adjustable needle guide. This consists of a strip 28 having a downward extension 2811. shaped as shown (Figs. 11 and 12). The 'strip28isreceived in a longitudinally extending slot in the forward end of the bed and has a slot 28b therethrough throughwhich a machine screw 280 extends to secure the guide to the bed. The positioning finger plate 26 has a downward extension 26a which forms a needle guide slot with the needle guide. The needle guide like thejpositioning fingeris below the needle plate 21.

For holding a button in position during the stitching operation there is provided a button clamp '(Figs. 1,2,3, and 8). This button clamp .is secured .to a bracket 29 at the forward end of the bracket. The rear end of the bracket 29 has :spaced depending lugs 30 that are pivotally secured by means of a .pivot pin 393a to the lugs 31 extending from a lever v32. Thi lever 32 is for vibrating and shifting the button clamp and for this reason, it is ,pivotally secured to the 'bed of the machine by a pivot screw 53. The head-34 .(Fig. v9) of the pivot screw engages the under side of the bed I of the machine and the pivot screw extends through an elongated slot 35 through the bed of the machine. The lever 32 is provided with like elongated slot 35 of greater width than the width of the slot 35. A bushing 31 is received in the slot 35 and engages the upper surface of the bed I. In this bushing a cylindrical extension on a nut 38 is received, the nut being threaded on to the pivot screw. Between the nut and the lever, there is an indicator bracket 39 having an indicator point 40. The bracket is provided with oppositely depending ears 39a that extend into the slot 36 and prevent the indicator bracket from turning on the pivot. The indicator point extends over an indicator plate 4| secured to the bed and extending parallel to the slots. This indicates the throw, or extent of vibration or, the clamp for various positions of the pivot along the slots.

The lever 32 is vibrated about the pivot screw 33 to cause a button held by the button clamp to present successively the holes of a two hole button or the pair of holes of a four hole button to the needle as the needle is reciprocated. For this purpose, the lever includes an arm 42 (Figs. 2 and 8) that extends rearwardly of the lugs 3|, into the column 3 just above the base and over the top plate 43 of the base. To the end of the arm 42, of the lever 32, there is pivotally secured one end of a link 44, the other end of which is pivotally secured to one end of a lever 45. The other end of the lever 45 is pivotally secured to the plate 43 by a pivot screw 45a. Intermediate the ends of the lever 45 and adjacent the end to which the link 44 is connected, a cam follower pin 46 is threaded into the link 45. This pin extends through the link 45, a slot provided therefor in the plate 43 and into the track of a positive, sinuous cam 41. The track (Fig. 19) of the cam 41 is formed in the edge of the cam and the cam is mounted on a horizontal cam shaft 48, journaled in bearing lugs formed on the inner surfaces of the sides of the base.

The cam shaft 48 (Figs. '7 and 8) to which the'cam 4'! is secured for rotation therewith is driven from the looper shaft IT. The drive is through two helical gears, one 49 secured on to the looper shaft l1 and the other 55 secured on the cam shaft 48. Thus, it will be observed that as the cam 47 is rotated the lever 45 is vibrated about its pivot 45a. and through the link 44 vibrates the lever 32 about the axis of the pivot screw 33. As the pivot screw 33 constitutes the fulcrum of the lever 32, a shifting of the pivot screw along the slots 35 and 36 will vary the throw of the button clamp.

In order to accommodate a four hole button in a machine in which the needle moves in a fixed path, it is necessary to be able to shift the button clamp supporting lever longitudinally, that is in a forward and rearward direction. In this way first one pair of the holes of a four hole button may be successively presented to the needle and then the other pair of holes. In the machine illustrated this longitudinal movement of the button clamp supporting lever 32 is accomplished by the following mechanism (Figs. 2 and 8): One end of a control lever 5| is pivotally secured to the arm 42 of the lever 32 through a link 5| a. This control lever has a resilient extension 52 extending through the column and out at the rear of the column, providing at the rear of the machine a finger piece by which the lever may be adjusted. Extending from the side edge of the lever 5|, there is a lug 53, through which a pivot pin 54 extends. This pivot pin is secured to a yoke 5442 which embraces an elevated, arcuate central rib 55 extending from a lever bracket 56 of the bell crank type. The lever 56 is pivoted to the plate '43 through a countersunk pivot screw 51. An arm 58 of the lever carries, adjacent the end thereof, cam follower pin 59 which is secured therein and extends into the track of a positive track cam 60 mounted on the cam shaft 48. The cam 60 has a. track in the edge thereof, one half of which is oifset axially with respect to the other half. Between the lug 53 and that end of the arm 42 of the lever 5| that is pivoted to the lever 32, one end of a link 6| is pivotally connected to the lever. The other end of the link 6| is pivotally secured to the plate 43 in line with the pivotal axis of the lever bracket 56.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that as the cam 63 rotates, and the cam follower pin 59 meets an offset in the cam track, the bracket lever 56 will be moved about its pivotal axis. In the position illustrated in Fig. 8, the lever 5| will be moved longitudinally, and by virtue of the link til, the lever 32 will be moved longitudinally in a straight line movement. The amount of movement of lever 32 will depend upon the distance between the pivot screw 51 and the pivot pin 54. If the lever 5| is shifted such that the pivot pin 54 is directly over the pivot screw 51, there will not be any longitudinal movement of the levers 5| or 32 when the lever bracket is moved. This is the position of the lever 5| for sewing a two hole button. For a four hole button the lever 5| is shifted away from this position an amount depending upon the size of the button or rather the distance etween the button holes.

The extent of the longitudinal shifting of the lever 32 is proportional to the distance the pivot pin 54 is from the pivot 57. On the rear of the standard 3, there is secured a marked indicator 52a. having marked thereon distances of movement of the lever 32 for various positions of the extension 52. The extension 52 is provided with an arrow 52b for this purpose. Detents on the indicator 52a and the extension 52 may serve to hold the extension 52 in any set position.

As the clamp vibrating cam 47 and the clamp shifting cam fill are secured on the same shaft, the same number of stitches, for a given operation of the machine (one revolution of the cam shaft) will be made whether a two or four hole button is being sewn, except for the modification of the mechanism as hereinafter described. In the case of a four hole button one half of the number of stitches will be made in each pair of holes. The track of the cam 41 is developed in Fig. 19, from which it will be seen that at spaced intervals, such as at Ma, 4%, there is a straight portion. As the cam follower pin 46 rides in these portions of the cam two or more stitches are made in the same hole to effect tying stitches. For a four hole button such tying stitches are made just before the lever is shifted and at the end of the sewing operation.

Stop motion After making a predetermined number of stitches, the machine is stopped. In the machine illustrated, the stop-motion mechanism may be set to stop the machine after a one-half revolution of the cam shaft 48 when two hole buttons are being sewn, or after a full revolution of the cam shaft when four hole buttons are being sewn. In this way twice the number of stitches are used for a four hole button, each pair of holes receiving the same number of stitches as a two hole button.

Machines of this kind operate at comparatively high speed and the momentum of the mechanism must be absorbed quickly and the machine stopped with the needle withdrawn in its uppermost position. This is accomplished in the machine illustrated by absorbing the momentum by springs which also serve to center the driving shaft and so stop the machine in the desired position of the mechanism. The main drive shaft Hi (Figs. 4 and 5) is driven through a pulley 62 that is free on the end of the shaft. On its outer side the pulley engages, through a thrust bearing, a spherical-sector head 83 against which the wedge-shaped end of a lever 66 engages. On its inner side, the pulley is provided with a frustro-conical surface 65 which is positioned to cooperate with a complementary frustrc-conical surface 535 of a disk 51. The disk 87 is also free on the shaft l2, but the diameter of the shaft receiving hole through the disk is somewhat greater than the diameter of the shaft so that the disk is free to float, that is, move a limited amount in all lateral directions. Adjacent the disk 61 and secured on the shaft for rotation therewith, there is a heavier or thicker disk 68, having a hub 59 between which and the shaft bearing there is a thrust bearing iii. The disk 68 is secured to the disk 51 for rotation therewith by screws lli threaded into the disk 63 and having elongated heads extending through openings in the disk 81. The openings in the disk 6'! for the heads of the screws '5! are larger in diameter than the heads of the screws so that they do not interfere with the float of the disk 67. The pulley which is slidable on the shaft is is normally spring pressed by a spring '52 away from, and out of drivin relation with, the disk 61.

The disk 68 (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) forms a part of the stop-motion mechanism. It cooperates with a resiliently centered plunger 53 having a lug M extending therefrom. Within a circumferentially extending slot in the disk 68, there is pivotally mounted a latch 16 on a pivot pin 1?. The latch 75 is spring pressed by a spring 78 to a position in which it extends beyond the pe ripheral edge I9 of the disk 68. The latch i6 is provided with a transverse slot or notch Bil which is of sufficient width to receive the lug M on the plunger 13.

The resiliently centered plunger is slidably mounted in and extends through a pivotally mounted housing 84. The housing is divided at the longitudinal center by a partition 85 which constitutes a bearing for the plunger and an abutment for springs 86 and 87. The spring 86 acts between the partition 85 and a shoulder formed by an enlargement 88 on the plunger. The spring 81 acts between the partition 85 and a nut 89 threaded on to the end of the plunger. The housing 84 has a bracket 9!] formed thereon which is secured to a shaft 9i extending between and through the side walls of the'base in which it is journaled. An arm 92 extends from the bracket 88 and a spring 93 engaging the arm 92 and a pin 94 in the side of the base acts to resiliently urge the housing in a direction to cause the lug Hi to engage in the notch 86 in the latch It. The housing 84 may be moved to release the lug 14 from the notch 80 through a foot treadle (not shown) connected to an extension 95 at the rear of the housing.

When the lug M is raised out of the notch 36, the lever 64, which is secured on to the end of the shaft 9|, is raised. The wedge-shaped end 98 of the lever acting on the spherical sector head presses the head inwardly. The head 63 is formed on a plunger slidably mounted in the end of the shaft I4 and upon being moved inwardly forces the pulley into driving relation with the floating, frustro-conical disk 61. The pulley is continuously driven by an electric motor (not shown) so that when the lug it is out of the notch 89, the shaft I4 starts to rotate in the direction of the arrow (Figs. 2 and 3). When the foot treadle is released, the lug I4 rides on the edge of the disk 68.

With this arrangement, without the control hereinafter described, the machine would continue to operate for one revolution of the drive shaft I4. As the lug I4 approached the latch I6, it would depress the latch, permitting the housing, under the action of the spring 93 to move about its pivot. This action serves to release the cone clutch, and when the lug 'I4 abuts against the edge of the notch 89 the clutch is completely released. The latch returns to its normal position when this occurs and the lug is held in the notch. The resiliently centered plunger absorbs the momentum and the rebound without undue shock to the mechanism.

As the cam shaft 48 is geared to the drive shaft in a relation such that the drive shaft makes sixteen revolutions for each revolution of the cam shaft, controls are provided so that the stopmotionmechanism, above described, may operate either after eight or sixteen revolutions of the main shaft, eight revolutions being sufficient for a two hole button and sixteen being required for a four hole button. In the machine illustrated this control acts upon the shaft 9 I.

On the opposite end of the shaft 95 (Figs. 3, 8 and 13) there is secured a lever 99 which carries a cam follower I00. The cam follower Ifiil is positioned to engage the edges of control disks IUI and I02 mounted on the cam shaft cs. The disk IIJI is provided with a hub I 63 through which it is secured to the cam shaft 48 for rotation therewith. The disk I32 is loosely mounted on the shaft but it is secured, through an adjustable connection, to the disk I ill. The diameter of the disks are equal and such in relation to the position of the lever 99 that when the cam follower I08 rides on the edge of the disks, the shaft 9! is positioned to hold the lug I4 out of the notch in the latch I6. The disk IlH has two radial notches m4 and H35 at diametrically opposite points, each of which is wide enough to receive the cam follower let. The disk H32 likewise has two radial notches Hi6 and 1 I01 at diametrically opposite points of the same depth as the notches H34 and I05. I06 is, however, elongated.

An arcuate slot I06 is provided in the disk it! and at each end of the slot, there is a recess, of larger diameter than the width of the slot, in the outer surface of the disk, such as the recess I09. The end of a fitting H9 is received in the recesses at the ends of the slot. The fitting is hollow and receives the head of a screw I l I. This screw extends through the fitting, the slot I08 and into a threaded opening H2 in the disk I 02. A spring I I3 within the fitting abuts against the head of the screw III and the base of the fitting, acting to draw the disks together and hold the fitting in a recess. By withdrawing the fitting against the action of the spring and moving it to the recess at the opposite end of the slot, the position of the disk H32 may be changed with respect to the disk I0 I.

As seen in Figs. 13 and 15, the disks are so The notch related that there are two diametrically aligned notches into which the cam follower I09 may enter. This is the relative position of the disks for sewing two-hole buttons, that is, wherein the drive shaft makes but eight revolutions and the cam shaft one-half revolution when the stop motion operates to stop the machine. By shifting the fitting III] to the recess I 09, the disk I02 will be moved counterclockwise (Figs. 13 and 15) and the notch I05 will be closed. Because of the elongated notch I06 in the disk I02, however, the notch I94 will remain open to receive the cam follower, and in consequence, when the cam shaft makes one half revolution, the plunger housing will be held suspended and the lug I4 will not drop into the notch 15 in the disk I8. n the next half revolution of the cam shaft, the cam follower will drop into the notch I04 and the stop mechanism will operate to stop the machine.

Thread handling mechanism Concomitantly with the operation of the machine, in proper sequence and in timed relation with the stitch-forming and tying operations, the thread is subjected to various tensions and strains and nipped or broken. The mechanism for performing the functions is here termed the thread handling mechanism. At the rear of the column 3 of the machine, a bracket H4 is secured for holding a spool of thread which, of course, is free to rotate as the thread is withdrawn. From the spool the thread is led through certain tension devices and eventually through the eye of the needle.

On the top of the arm 4 (Figs. 2 and 6) of the frame, there are three posts H5, H6 and III extending vertically from the arm along the cen-j terline thereof, and a fourth post H8, spaced longitudinally of the arm. Forwardly, of the post H3, there is a square block H9 secured on the arm and extending therefrom. Between the posts I i and 8 I6, there is a thread tension device I29, of the usual and well known kind, consisting of a pair of tension disks i2! and I22 resiliently urged together by a spring I23. Between the posts I I6 and ill and over the shaft 9, there is another thread tension devicel24.

The tension device I24 includes a pin I25 which extends into the arm of the machine in cooperative relation with respect to a cam surface I26 on the shaft 9. With the movement of the shaft 9, the pin is elevated concomitantly with the stitching operation to release the tension on the thread. The tension is released on each Stitching operation to permit the looper to draw off the necessary thread for twisting and positioning the loop.

Also mounted on the arm 4 of the frame, there is a thread pull off device. This consistsof a bell crank lever I27 pivotally mounted on a pivot screw H8. The lever includes a pair of arms I29 and 38 the ends of which are spaced apart and each of which has an upstanding finger, the fingers I3I and E32 respectively. At the end of each stitching operation, in a manner hereinafter described, the lever i2l is actuated to cause the fingers I3! and I32 to draw off sufficient thread for the start of the next stitching cycle.

Cooperating with the block H9 (Fig. 6), there is a fiat extension i33 formed as a part of a bell crank lever I 34. The lever I34 is mounted on a pivot pin I35 secured in the arm 4. At the end of a stitching cycle, as and in the manner hereinafter described, the bell crank lever I34 is actuated to nip or squeeze the thread betweenthe end; Additional rods I4I 19 extension I33 and the adjacent flat surface of the block H9. The lever I34 also carries a horizontal post I 35 under which the thread passes in passing to an opening through the upper end of the needle bar.

The front of the needle bar head (Figs. 1 and 10) is covered by a plate I36. On this plate there is a leaf-spring, thread tension I3! held in place by a machine screw I38. Through a slot in the plate a bar I39 extends, and secured in the bar, there is a rod I40 having an outwardly turned and M2 are secured to the plate and each has an arm extending transversely of the plate and spaced therefrom. The rod I45] is between the rods MI and I42. These rods serve to place, at the end of a stitch cycle, a preliminary strain on the thread to more readily effect a breaking of the thread at the end of the tying stitches.

The foregoing operative parts, those actuated at the end of a stitch cycle, are actuated through the rod I39. The rod I39 extends along the side of the arm 4 and it is slidably mounted thereon. It is normally resiliently urged to its rearmost position by a spring 143. The end'of the bar has a transverse extension I 44 which is in cooperating position with respect to one end of a bell crank lever I45, pivoted on a pivot screw 5%. On the bar I39, intermediate the ends thereof there is a fitting i4! having an extension hi8 (Fig. 6) which on forward movement of the bar engages between the disks of the tension device I2I and relieves the tension on the thread. The lever I2! is actuated by the bar 539 through a stud I49 extending the lever and engaging in a yoke I490; on the bar. A like stud I50 extending from the lever I34 and a block I5fia on this bar serve to actuate the lever I34. The lever I34 is spring urged by a spring 634a to a position in which the surface E33 engages the block H9. When the bar I39 is in the rearmost position the block I59a holds the lever against the action of the spring.

At the end of a stitch cycle, the bar its is moved forwardly. This action is effected through a lever (Fig. 3) I 5i rotatably mounted on the extended end of the shaft 3 and having an arm I52 in cooperative relation with respect to a stud I53 extending from the bar I39. The other arm of the lever I5I is connected through an adjustable pivot screw I54 adjustable in a slot 555 in the arm of the lever i5I, to one end of a link I55. At the other end of the link 555 there are two spaced notches I57 formed in the link, either of which may receive a pin I53 extending from a lever I59 adjacent the end thereof. The lever I59 is rotatably mounted on the drive shaft Id and has a curved end section I653 that is positioned to be engaged (Fig. 16) by a cam IGI secured on the cam shaft 48.

The cam i5! is in effect a two point cam having two lever-engaging points I65 and I66 at diametrically opposite points. As the cam ifii is mounted on the cam shaft, the bar 539 is actuated for each half revolution of the cam shaft twice for each revolution of the cam shaft. Thus, as the drive shaft makes eight revolutions for a cycle of stitches for two holes in a button, the bar I39 is actuated after each such cycle.

The thread (Figs. 1 and 6) indicated by the line I61 passes from the spool at the rear of the machine, along one side of the post H5, through the tension device I29, across the post I I6, through the tension device I24, and past the post II'I. It will be noted that the thread passes on opposite sides of the successive posts and tension devices. Thus, the posts serve to maintain the thread in the tension devices. From the post II1 it passes along the post I I8, on the same side thereof as the post H1. It is led from the post II 9 between the block II9 and the extension I33 of the lever I34. Next it passes under the horizontal post I on the lever I34. From the post I35, the thread passes (Figs. 1 and 13) through an opening provided therefor adjacent the top of the needle bar. Then (Fig. 1D) the thread passes down the cover plate of the needle bar, under a rod I92 and the rod I42, over the rod I and under the stationary bar Isl and under the leafspring 53?. The thread is then passed through a thread hole in the plate and the eye of the needle. Between the rods I62 and I92, the thread passes through the loop of a spring I93 secured to the plate and extending under the rod I40.

During the stitching cycle, the stitches, as heretofore described, are formed, the tension device i29 being released in the manner stated during each reciprocation of the needle. At the end of the stitching cycle, the bar I39 is actuated to release the automatic tension i2 I, actuate the lever I21, release the lever M9 outwardly which places a preliminary strain on the thread. This is effected through movement of the lever I59.

While the bar I39 is at its rearmost position, the spring I31 is held away from the plate I36 and does not place any tension on the thread. This is effected through a lever I31a (Fig. 3) pivoted on a lug I311) secured to the plate. One arm of the lever has an extension I310 extending through a slot in the plate and engaging the spring I91. A spring I31d acts between the other leg of the lever and the rear of the plate I39 and during stitching operations holds the spring I31 away from the plate in opposition to the adjustable spring I31e tending to press the leaf spring I31 against the plate. When the bar 599 moves forward at the end of a stitch cycle, a pin I31) thereon engages the lever I310: and releases the leaf spring I31. The leaf spring I31 then clamps the thread to the face of the plate I35.

Upon movement of the bar I39, forwardly, the lever I34 is moved so that the thread is clamped between the block H9 and the extension I33 of the lever 63%. The stitch forming mechanism has, at this time, completed a tying stitch. Upon movement of the bar forwardly the U-shaped bracket I49 is, of course, moved forwardly and as the thread is held between the tying stitch and the clamp extension I33, it is strained. The automatic tension I2! is released so that on the actuation of the lever I21, a quantity of thread is pulled off, an amount sufficient to start the next stitching operation. This action takes place as the needle starts its return stroke. Further movement of the needle, causes the thread to break at the tying stitch and it is not therefore withdrawn from the needle.

At the end of a stitch cycle, the button clamp is lifted. The button clamp, hereinafter described in detail, is, as previously described, secured to the bracket 29 which is pivoted to the lever 32. Secured to the lever 32, there is also a feed plate I98 which extends forwardly of the lever 32. The feed plate has an opening therethrcugh for the needle, the opening being of a size sufficient to permit the passage of the needle irrespective of the position of the plate. It also provided with a knurled surface. On this feed plate the cloth is placed and the button I34, and move the bar clamp is moved down, holding a button, so that the button clamps the cloth to the feed plate. To this end the bracket 29 is urged about its pivotal connection to the lever 32 by a spring pressed plunger I 59. The plunger IE9 is slidably mounted on a stud I10 extending from the arm 41 and abuts against the bracket 29. A spring I1I acts between an adjustable finger nut I12 on the plunger and the arm 4 of the machine.

For raising the bracket 29 and in consequence the button clamp, the'bracket 29 is provided with a boss I14 in which one end of a rod havin a horizontal arm I15 is secured. Extending below the arm I15 is'the arm I19 of a rod I11 that is secured in one end of a lever I183. The lever I19 is pivotally mounted on the extending end of the shaft 9 and when actuated in one direction serves to elevate the bracket '29.

The lever I18 is actuated through a bar I19 which is pivotally secured, at one end, to the lever and which extends down through the column of the machine to the base. The lower end of the bar I19 is pivotally secured to one end of a link I89 (Figs. 4, l7 and 18 the other end of which link is pivotally secured to the end of a bracket or lever I8I secured to the shaft 9I for movement therewith. Adjacent the lower end thereof, the bar is provided with a notch I82 in the edge thereof forming a shoulder I83.

The bar I19 is depressed at the end of a stitch cycle by a cam follower bracket I86. The bracket I34 is pivoted on a shaft I85 and has a U-shaped section embracing an eccentric cam I89 mounted on the shaft I4. Cam engaging surfaces I91 and I88 engage the cam I96 and the bracket is oscillated as the shaft I4 rotates. An arm I89 on the bracket has a lateral extension I90 which under certain conditions engages the shoulder I93 and actuates the bar I19 to lift the button clamp.

When the plunger housing 84 is raised in starting the machine in the manner previously described, the shaft 9| is actuated. It is turned clockwise, as seen in Fig. 17. The lever IBI, through the link I80 moves the bar I19 suchthat the extension I 90 on the cam follower bracket I84is out of the notch I82. It is held in this position, as previously described through the stitch cycle, at the end of which the cam follower I09 drops into a notch in the cycling cam disks IN and I02 and the lug 14 on the plunger 13 drops into the notch 15. At this time, the shaft 9I moves counterclockwise (Fig. 17) and on the succeeding oscillation of the bracket I3=l the extension I90 engages the shoulder I83 and so effects a lifting of the cam bracket 29.

With the lifting action of the clamp, and through the mechanism just described, there is provided an additional arrangement for effecting movement of the bar I 39. This is effected through the bell crank lever I45 one end of which is in cooperating relation with respect to the end extension I44 of the bar I39. The other end of the lever extends under a pivot pin I9I securing the bar I19 to the lever I18. Thus, when the bar I19 is moved downwardly, the bar I 39 is moved forwardly through the action of the lever.

The button clamp may be any one of many well known in the art. The particular button clamp illustrated is comparable to that disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,009,560 issued July 30, 1935 withone exception. In the button clamp illustrated, the position of the adjusting pin I92 (Fig. 8) is positioned and held in place by a lever I93. The lever is pivoted at one end on a pivot screw I94 and traverses the path of the adjusting pin' I92. Adjacent its opposite end, there is an arcuate slot I95 through the lever and through which a'clamping thumb screw I96 extends. An upturned flange I9'I formed adjacent the end of the lever constitutes a finger piece for moving the lever. By loosening the thumb screw and moving the lever, the adjusting pin may be set at any position. This determines-the amount the jaws I98 will close. 7

The machine also includes what may be termed a thread wiper for moving and holding the free endof the thread to the rear of the needle so that it does not interfere with inserting a button between the jaws of the button clamp. This thread wiper (Figs.-1' and 3) consists of a stiff wire I99 secured to and extending from one arm of a "lever 200. The wire I99 has an end section. 20I that extends substantially horizontally and the wire is of suflicient length'so that in the upper position of the needle, the end section 20I can swing under the needle. The lever 200 is pivoted to the frame at 202 and includes an arm 203 upon which a spring 204 acts to move the lever such'that the wire is positioned to the rear of the needle. Another arm 205 of the lever is in the form of a yoke, one arm 206 of which is longer than the other. A bracket 20! is secured onthe bar I39 and carries a pin 208 which engages in the yoke of the lever 200.

In the ipOSitiOn illustrated in Fig. 3, the inoper ative position of the machine, the bar I39 is in its most forward position. The wiper is in its rearward position. When the machine is'started, the bar I39 is released and immediately moves to its rearmost position. In doing so, the pin 208 moves the lever 200 to bring the wiper to a position in front of the needle. The arm 206 of the yoke on the lever lies, in the inoperative position of the parts, in the path of a block 209 secured on the needle bar 6. It is, however, upon rearward movement-of the bar I39, moved out of the path of the block 269. This is to prevent downward movement of the needle before the wiper has been moved to a position forwardly of the needle.

At the end of a stitching cycle, the machine is stopped and the thread broken as heretofore explained. The bar I39, upon the stopping of the machine is moved to its forward position. In doing so the spring I3Id is released and the wiper is moved to its rearmost position. The spring I3'Id takes up part of the slack in' the thread insuring that the free end is withdrawn and the wiper moves the free end rearwardly of the needle as illustrated in Fig. 3.

Operation In operating the machine, the operator places a button between the-jaws of the button clamp. This is done simply by pressing the edge of the button between the jaws I98 until it engages a stop 2I0. The jaws yield to receive the button and hold it when it is inserted between them. The clamp has, of course, been previously adjusted for the particular size button to be sewn. Also the finger lever 52 has been adjusted for the particular button, that is, for a two or four hole button as the case may be, and if for a four hole button for the distance between the two pair of holes. Likewise, the control disks IOI and I02 have been adjusted for the particular button, i. e. a two or fourhole button. In addition, the pivot screw 33 has been adjusted in accordance with the distance between the holes of a pair of holes in the particular button to be sewn.

After the button is placed between the jaws of the clamp, the fabric to which the button is to be sewn is placed on the cloth plate I68. The operator then presses the foot treadle (not shown) which elevates the plunger housing 84 and removes the lug l0 from the notch 80. Simultaneously, the lever 64 is elevated and the wedgeshaped end thereof causes the cone clutch to engage, connecting the drive shaft I4 to the pulley 92. Also, the shaft 9I'is rotated and the cam follower I00 moved out of the notch in the control disks. When the operator releases the foot treadle, the cam follower I00 rides on the edge of the control disk and maintains the plunger housing 84 and the lever 64 elevated.

Immediately upon movement of the shaft 9I,

the link I19 (Figs. 17 and 3) is released. The lever H8 is, thus, released and the button clamp moves down to clamp the fabric between the button and the cloth plate. The bar I39 is also released and moves to its rearmost position. When this occurs, the automatic tension becomes operative, the lever I27 is moved to release the thread it took off when the machine stopped, the nipper lever I34 is actuated to release the thread, the spring IS'Id is retracted, the bar I40 is withdrawn, the tension I9? is released, and the wiper I99 moves to its position forwardly of the needle. The machine operates to effect stitches successively through different holes of a pair of holes in the button and at the end of a stitch cycle to effect tying stitches. If a four hole button is being sewn, then after the tying stitches for the first pair of holes, the lever W9 is actuated to move the bar I39 forward. With this action the thread handling mechanism comes into play to break the thread. The lever 32 is moved rearwardly to bring the second pair of holes of the button into position. This is done without interruption of the operation of the stitch-forming mechanism.

At the end of a stitch-cycle, the cam follower I drops into a notch in the control cams. This releases the shaft 9I so that the stop-motion mechanism becomes operative. Also the link I19 is positioned to be engaged by the extension I90 of the bracket I84. The button clamp is thus raised and the bar I39 is moved forward. The thread handling mechanism comes into play and the thread is broken. The button is removed from the button clamp and the machine is ready to repeat the operation.

It will be obvious that various changes may be made by those skilled in the art in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings and described in detail above Within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a button sewing machine having stitchforming mechanism, operating mechanism therefor anda work support, the combination comprising a button clamp for positioning a button with respect to the stitch-forming mechanism and mounted for movement towards and away from the work support, means for vibrating the button clamp, stop-motion mechanism for stopping the stitch-forming mechanism after a predetermined number of stitch forming operations, and positive operating means connectable to said operating mechanism for moving the button clamp away from the work support upon the operation of said stop-motion mechanism including a shaft actuated upon the operation of the stop motion mechanism and operative to effect a conm ti n between s id. pos ive op r n me n nd he sa d peratin e hanism.

2. In a button sewing machine having stitchforming mechanism, operating mechanism therefor and a work support, the combination comprising a button clamp for positioning a button with respect to the stitch-forming mechanism and mounted for movement towards and away from said work support, means for vibrating the button clamp, stop-motion mechanism for stopping the stitch-forming mechanism after a predetermined number of stitch-forming operations, means for moving the button clamp away from the work support, and positive operating means connectable to said operating mechanism and operative upon the operation of said stop-motion mechanism for rendering said button clamp moving means effective including a shaft actuated upon the operation of the stop-motion mechanism and operative to efiect a connection between said positive operating means and the said operating mechanism.

3. In a button sewing machine having stitchforming mechanism, operating means therefor, a work support and manually operative means for connecting said stitch-forming mechanism to said operating means, the combination comprising a button clamp for positioning a button with respect to said stitch-forming mechanism and mounted for movement towards and away from the work support, resilient means acting to move said button clamp towards the work support, means for vibrating the button clamp, stop-motion mechanism for disconnecting said stitchforming and operating means and stopping the stitch-forming mechanism after a predetermined number .of stitch-forming operations, means normally ineffective during the stitch-forming operations for moving the button clamp away from the work support, means operative upon operation of said stop-motion mechanism for rendering said button clamp moving means effective, and positive acting means operative upon operation of said manually operative means for rendering said button clamp moving means ineffective.

i. Ina sewing machine having a base and stitchforming mechanism and operating mechanism therefor, stop-motion mechanism comprising in combination a resiliently centered plunger, an element operatively connected to the operating mechanism and positioned to cooperate with said plunger, interengaging means for said element and said plunger, and means including an element actuated by said operating mechanism for maintaining the plunger and said first mentioned element out of interengaging relation during a predetermined number of stitch-forming operations said last mentioned means being adjustable to vary the number of stitch-forming operations erating mechanism comprising in combination a I resiliently centered plunger, an element operatively connected to the operating mechanism and positioned to cooperate with said plunger, interengaging means on said element and said plunger, means including an element actuated by said operatin mechanism .for ma ntainins't e p un er and said first m nt ned element ut o teren sine rela ion dur a predeterm ned u ber of stitch d-erm e ope ations of t e s c formine me han sm, said last me n d means being adjustable to vary the number of stitchforming operations efiected during which the interchan ng ns oi said first mentioned element and the plunger are maintained out of interengaging relation, said last mentioned means and the plunger being carried by the base, and means for releasing the interengaging means of th plunger and said element. I

6. In a button sewing machine having stitchiorming mechanism, operating mechanism therefor and a work support, the combination comprising a button clamp for positioning a button with respect to the stitch-forming mechanism and mounted for movement toward and away from the work support, yieldable means urging the button clamp toward the work support, and means normally ineffective during the stitchforming operations and operative upon the for.- mation of a predeterminednumber of stitches for moving the button l mp away from the work support including an oscillating lever connected to said operating mechanism and oscillated thereby during the operation thereof, an operating element connected to move the button clamp away from h Work suppo t, and mea s op tive foreffecting an operativ connection. between said operating element and the lever upon the formation of a predetermined number of stitches.

7. In a button sewing machine having stitchformins me h ni m o r t nsmeohan sm t e efor and ,a work support, the combination comprising a button clamp or positionin 3: utton with respect to the stitch-formingmeohanism and mounted for movement toward and away from the work support, yieldable means urging the button clamp toward the work support, and means normally ineffective during the stitchforming operations operative upon the formation of a predeterminednumber of titches for moving the button clamp away from the Work support including an oscillat ng lever connected to said operating mechanism-and oscillated thereby durin th operation th reof, a .shiitable p r g element conne ted to move the button clamp wa from the work su p t, me ns or s ift ng the operatin element to efiect an operative connection with the lever upon the formation of a predetermined number of stitches.

8. In a button sewing machine having stitchforming mechanism, operatin mechanism therefor and a work support, the combination comprising a button clamp for positioning a button with respect to the stitch-forming mechanism and mounted for movem nt toward and w y mm the work supp rt, :y eldable means ur i g the uttonlam toward e work s por me s normally in fec i e dur g he stit hef rmins operat ons fo movin the button c mp ay .fom the Work su por ea s f r efieotine a connection between the button clamp moving m ans and the operat ng mecha ism, s op-motion mechanism, and means for conjointly efiecting the operation of the stop motion mechanism and said onn cting mea s up n th mation of .a predetermined number of stitchformin operations.

9. In a sewing machine having a base and stitch-forming mechanism and operating mechn sm the e r. op-moti n me han m comprising in combination aresili ntly entered plunger, an element operatively connected to the operating mechanism and positioned to cooperate with said plunger, and means for maintaining the plunger and said element out Of interengaging relation during a predetermined number of 5 stitch-forming operations including an element actuated by said operating mechanism and having a plurality of slots therein, a lever having a cam follower engaging said element and positioned to enter the slots therein and thereby effect engagement of said interengaging means on the plunger and said first mentioned element, and adjustable means for maintaining the cam follower out of a slot to vary the number of stitchforming operations effected while the interengaging means of said plunger and said first mentioned element are maintained out of interengaging relation said last means and said plunger being carried by the base.

GEORGE WILLIAM NELSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 21,016 Lyons Feb. 28, 1939 673,851 Leilich May 7, 1901 953,118 Boutell Mar. 29, 1910 10 1,273,348 Fifield July 23, 1918 1,319,450 Allen et a1 Oct. 21, 1919 1,335,263 Straner Mar. 30, 1920 1,507,518 Rose Sept. 2, 1924 1,519,652 Ashworth Dec. 16, 1924 15 1,539,860 Nelson June 2, 1925 1,542,865 Fifield June 23, 1925 2,300,585 McCann Nov. 3, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS m Number Country Date 28,897 Switzerland Aug. 13, 1903 

